Code-writing machine



Nov. '17, 1925. 1,562,120

L. A. NEMCOVSKY CODE WRITING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 16, 1922 4'Sheets-Sheet 1 MIN 16 f jl ifjj -1111::Jll'jgitliitjijj:Z112:Ex

I [mz'rA/Vc'mwwy Nov. 17, 1925.

L, A. NEMCOVSKY CODE WRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 we J mum HHu-h I I z [mew A. VZmmws/rg Nov. 17,1925. 1,562,120

L. A. NEMCOVSKY CODE WRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1922 4 Shee ts-Sheet '5 Nov. 17,1925- 1,562,120

L A. NEMCOVSKY CODE WRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a a 63 2g 7 g Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES LOUIS A. NEMCOVSKY, OF NEW YORK, N Y.

CODE-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed August 16, 1922. Serial No. 582,157.

To all LU/20771416172101] cmt'ccrn Be it known that I, LOUIS A. 'NEMCOVSKY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of- New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Code-VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates primarily to code-writing machines of the type in which the operating keys are disposed upon a dial or disc which is rotated about its axis to position it for any desired code setting.

The invention is shown embodied in that type of code writing machine in which a set of character-bearing keys is associated with an ordinary typewriting machine, special connections serving to bring a key of the operating set into operative relation with a typewriter printing key or key lever. In the type of machine referred to, means is provided for changing the relationship between the operating keys and the typewriting keys, so that depression of a key of I the former set will operate any desired key of the typewriter. In this manner the code may be changed at will by merely shifting the operating set into different operative relat on to the typewriter keys.

Where the means for changing the relationship between the auxiliary and typewriter keys comprises a rotary table or disc upon which said keys are arranged in circular relation, it will be obvious that where the characters upon the auxiliary keys are in upright position with respect to the operator when one code is being used, said characters will be inclined with respect to the operator, when the disc is rotated for setting to another code. The degree of inclination will of course depend upon the amount of rotation of the disc, so that when the disc has been turned through a quarter revolution the character N may be mistaken for Z and the character C for U, and when said disc has been rotated through half a revolution the M appears as W, and vice versa, etc. In addition to such liability to error, the reading of many of the characters is rendered inconvenient.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide means, simple in construction and requiring no special operating manipulation,

for disposfng the operating keys in upright position for any position of the disc. I prefer to accomplish this result by gearing connecting the operating key carrying disc to i code. This is accomplished by providing indicating means which serve to give notice to .the operator, during rapid changing of codes, when the operating keys are in proper operative relation to the printing keys for the desired code.

Another object is to provide an inexpenslve, reliable transmission between the operating and printing keys which shall operate with little etfort.

In the preferred embodiment, the connections include push rods or tubes which are flexible to bridge between the operating keys on the dial and the usual typing keys. Positive transmission of the thrust is substam tially assured byproviding flexible guide sheaths within which the flexible push rod or tube operates, special securing members gripping said sheaths without flattening or jamming them against the push rod or tube.

Various other objects and advantages will be in part obvious and in part pointed out specifically in the following description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown what I now consider to be the preferred form of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away to disclose underlying structure, of a code-writing machine embodying my invention. 1

Fig. 2 1s a plan view of the auxiliary set of code-writing keys .and the mounting therefor. 4

Fig. 3 is avertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3 and showing the gear- IOU uponwhich they are mounted. 1 v

Fig. is a section taken on the line 55 I of Fig. 4 and showing in section the auxwhich theycooperate. Fig. 6- is a. side elevation showing the means for efl'ect-ing rotation the. disc for, settinga neweod'e', with parts ifbroken away and parts'indicated in dottedlines, to show? iliary keys and the transmission units with the means for eflectin'g rapid setting saiddisc. Fig. 7 is a'section taken on the li',1c-77 of Fig. 6 showing the driving means for the v rotary disc. f

Fig. 8 is a sectiontaken on the line 8 -8 of Fig. 7 showing a detail of the handle.

Fig. 9 is a detail showing the construction of the end. of an auxiliary key plunger.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a typewriting machine of ordinary constructionhaving a mainframelO, acarriage 11, and banks of ke 's 12. The ma. chine is, of course, provi ed with all the usual mechanism such as'back-spa'cer, spacing-bar, bell-signal, etc., not shown. Mount-. ed in front of frame 10 over the banks of keys 11 is the code-Writing attachment comprising'the casing 15, the type-writing m'a-' chine-and said attachment being preferably mounted on the same base 16. The codewriting attachment is provided inside thereof with a block 17 cut out on its lower face to provide a plurality of steps 18 (see Fig. 3), each stepoverlying a bankof typewriter keys. Within each step 18 operate a plurality of plungers 19, each of said plungers overlying a keyof the respective bank. By operating said plungers downbe operated.

wardly, the respective typewriter keys' can The ypewriter lieys are adapted to be. operated from the code-writing attachment by means of a set of operating keys '20.

' projecting above the upper face or topof the attachment. Each keyof'the auxiliary set is formed with a character bearin'g cap;

21 fixedupon theupper end of a plunger 22, which when depressed, operates a plunger v23 against the action 'of a coil spring 24within a housing 25. Said plunger 23 is soldered, or otherwisefixed' at its reduced end 23' to a flexible push tube or rod 26, preferably helically bent wire, op-

erating within a flexible sheath or tube 27,

also a wire helix'extending into and somewhat below'the. housing 25. Each flexible push rod is similarly connected at its lower end to one of theplungers 19, and is guided at the printingikey 'endthrough the sheath 27. Thus upon depressing one of the keys of the auxiliary set, the plunger 19 asso- 1 ciatedthrewith will operate 'the corres ondin t pewriter key by effecting a slidiiig mov em ent of flexible rod 26 through the sheath 27. v

To effect a tight joint between the sheath 27 and the casing 25,the latter is, provided with a reducedportion 30 which is screwthreaded, and a ortion 31 still further re- I duced and, forming the lower end of said l casing. vSlots 32 r-un lengthwise of the portions 30 and 31 to form resilient tongues at.

' theend {of said casing, andthe latten'together with portions and31, are bored centrally to accommodate sheath 27. A cap threaded portion ,30 and enclose portion 31. The extreme end of the latter is tapered and cooperates with the similarly tapered end 35 of the cap, so that as the cap is screwed upon portion 30, the inclined faces 35 will press against the faces of the-tapered end of portion 31 to compress said end, T and the separate tongue members formed by slots 32' will be compressed, against the sheath 27 to the desired degree of tightness. By reason of. the symmetry of" the clamping construct-ion it will be seen that a uniform pressure is exerted against the sheath so that the latter is not flattened butjremains .circ'ular in cross-section to permit sliding of the flexible push rod therein without binding. At the typewriter or printing key endsleeves 37 are provided for gripping the sheath 27 and accommodating the sliding plungers 19. Each sleeve 37 has a head 38 threaded as at- 38 into block 17. The upper end of head 38 is longitudinally'slit as at 34 is'internally threaded 'to engage screw- 32', and a cap 40 similar to cap 34 previously described clamps the resilient end of sleeve 37 against the lower end of. sheath 27. It will thus. be apparent that between plunger 1 9 and plunger 23 there is an eflective transmissisom sothat operation of any of the auxiliary keys will result-in positive rapid operation of the typewriter keys. If the keys 20 were fixedly, connected to 'plungers 23, each auxiliary key couldoperate only the same typewriter key at all times. be changeable at will, so that, for example, the key A of the auxiliary set may in one code operate the typewriter key Z, in another code typewriter key L, and so on. To permit the codes to be thus varied at will.

'the character-bearing keys 20 .are arranged inzcircular formation on a rotary disc45, the plungers 42 extending through said disc and being provided at their lower ends with It is, however, desirable that codes flanges 46 normally located in a cavity in the lower face of the disc, the bottom of the flanges being flush with said-lower face so that the disc may be freely rotated. Flanges '46 are maintained in the position describe parent that by rotating disc 45 any key of the auxiliary set may be brought into operative relation with a key of the typewriter and .thus the code may be changed at will.

For rotating the disc there may be provided a handle 52 on the side of the casing 15 of the code-attachment, said handle being fixed to a shaft 53 uponwhich is fixed a wormgear 54 which meshes with a worm wheel 55 carried by a shaft 56 axially fixed to the disc'45, saidshaft 56 operating in a sleeve bearing 57 formed integrally with the top 58 of the casing 15. Said top is inclined to facilitate reading of the characters and operation of the device.

It is essential in rotating the disc 45 that flanges 46 be brought into operative relation with flanges 47 to permit operation of the keys. It would ordinarily be difficult for an operator to assure registry ofthe flanges 46 and 47. This invention therefore provides automatic means for indicating when the operating keys are in position to effect. operation 'of the typewriter keys. For this purpose the handle 52 is provided with a socket 60 in which operates a detent 61 which may bein the form of a ball pressed .inward by a spring 62. A plate 63 may be set into the side wall of vthe casing flush therewith and provided with a circular concentric race-way 64, provided in the embodiment shown with four groove stops at uniform intervals of a quadrant. The handle 52 is mounted on a rotary disc which operates closely adjacent the plate 63 in casing 15 so that the detent is held in position within socket 60.

The gear ratios between handle lever 52 and disc 45 is such that when handle 52 is rotated to move detent 61 from one groove to the next, disc 45 is rotated through an angular distance suflicient to bring the operating keys into operative osition for the next code, preferably for a vancethrough the space between consecutive keys. Vhenever detent 61 snaps into a stop recess 65 the operating keys are in operative connection with the typewriter keys. Obviously the handle may be advanced through any 11umber of quadrants for successive codes according to any predetermined rule. vance 1s more than the distance between sue:

I cessive stops 65, it would be necessary for the operator to count the stops as the detent snaps thereinto successively in the rotation of the handle, with the possibility of-error.

T'o permit advance of disc- 45 through substantially any desired angle without need for counting detent operations, or estimating angles of rotation, I provide additional runways in any of which detent 61 may travel, each runway-having a distinctive uniform angular interval between successive stops therein.

Accordin 'l 7 I have )IOVlClQd a concentric lVhere the adof 180 degrees and a third concentric runway 64 with a single stop 65 so that a com plete rotation of the handle is required for successive stops. To shift the detent 61 at will from one runway to another, the socket 60 is found in a block 13 fitted within disc D and is provided with flanges 59 slidable in a slot 67 formed in the lower surface of the handle and extending across the concentric runways 64. The block B is positioned eccentrically within the handle and a pin B fitting into a corresponding eccentric hole in a setting" button 52 concentric of handle 52 extends into a slot 96 in the headof block B. As shown in Fig. 8 the slot 96 is elongated and -its length is along the length of the are of grooves 64. Rotation of the setting button 52' about its own axis will move themiddle race-way to thenext, the second code following is in operative position, the disc having been rotated through twice the angle resulting from shift between consecutive stops in the outer race-way. Similarly it may be desirable to change 'code by successive advance through four letters. In this case setting button 52 is rotated about its with the innermost ball-race, the latter having but one-fourth as many stops asthe outermost race-way, in this case but one stop. in an entire revolution. 11 every case, however, the stop grooves are so positioned that engagementof the detent in a groove indicates that the operating keys are properly aligned for operating typewriter keys. It will be understood that the number of stops in the various race-ways or the number of race-ways may be varied at will, the arrangement shown being merely illustrative. Preferably index numbers 1, 2 and 4 are provided to show the respective positions of the setting button.

It will be apparent that when disc 45 is rotated through various angular. distances to render various codes effective, the characters in caps 21 will also be rotated, so that where originally the characters age all upright like those of a typewriter, they will, upon rotation of the disc, be inclined from' said upright position to a degree depending upon the degree of rotation of the disc. Thus, avlien the. disc has. beenv rotated through one-fourth revolution," the letter own axis to move detent 61 into engagement N might be mistaken for Z, or C for .33 f,

angular distances as the disc.

U and vice versa, or by rotation through revolution of the disc, through. an angle suf-v ficient to compensate for the change in inclination. This result is accomplished preferably by rotating all of the operating keys through an angle equal to that through which the disk 45 is rotated but in the opposite direction. The means for thus rotating the keys may take the form of gear ing, one suitable form being shown in the drawings. Said gearing comprises a gear 70 (see Fig. 5) on shaft56 which meshes with a gear 71 carried by shaft 72 journaled in the casing top. A gear 7 3 is also fixed to shaft 72 and meshes with a gear 74 fixed to a shaft 75 journaled in the casing top. Said shaft 75 carries a gear 76 which meshes with the inner rim 77 of an annular gear 78 clamped between an annulus 79 resting against casting 58 and an annular projection 80 in the under surface of a hollowedont' portion of the disc 45. The annulus 7 9 is secured as by screws 7 9 against the under surface of the disc 45; The outer rim 85 of the annular gear meshes with a plurality of gears 81, one of which is mounted adjacent the lower end of each key 22 .between annulus 79 and the under surface of the disc 45. The plunger 22 of each key carried by the disc 45 is provided with a longitudinal slot 83 in which is projection 84 of the gear extends to key the gear to the plunger and cause them to rotate together.

It will be obvious from the above-described gearing that the auxiliary keys will be rotated by the teeth 85 on the outer rim of the annular gear in a direction opposite to that of disc'45, and that if gear 85 is rotated for every revolution of the disc through one complete revolution plus a number of teeth equal to the number of teeth-on gears 81, then gears 81 and hence the keys 20 will rotate through, the same A suitable gear ratio for the purpose is as follows: gear 70-72 teeth, gear 7124 teeth, gear 7344 teeth, gear 74'3O teeth, gear 7 640 teeth, gear 77-160 teeth, gear 8518O teeth,

and gear 81-.18 teeth. With these gear ratios, one revolution of the disc 45, and hence of gear 70, will result in rotating gear 85 through' 198 teeth 1.1 revolutions.

Since the disc rotates through one revolu tion-at the same time, the relative movement of gear 85 with respect to the disc is .1

revolution or 18 teeth, which movement is transmitted to the gears 81.

It'will be understood that this invention is not limited either to the particular type of gearing shown or to the ratio of gears described above, but may be embodied in other transmission systems which will accomplish the result hereinbefore'set forth; that is, the rotation of the auxiliary keys through anan 1e sufficient to maintain the characters on t e keys upright at all times. .In the embodiment shown, the numerals are the same in all codes. The numeral keys accordingly are not mounted on the rotary disc 45 but are rigidly and Permanently connected to plungers 23, as at 50 in Fig. 5. Preferably bosses or bearing blocks 90 are provided on the top 58 of casing 15- for the plungers of the keys 100 not carried by the disc 45. Since these keys are not rotated they may be provided with longitudinal slots 94 with which engage pins 95 extending through bearing blocks 90 for the purpose of guiding the keys in their movement.

The above description illustrates the principles embodied in my invention, but it will be understood that various changes 'and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: g

1. In a code-writing machine in combination a rotary disc having a plurality of character-bearing keys 0 carried means for rotating said disc, and means operating upon rotation of said disc for rotating said keys relative ,to said disc.

2. In a code-writing machine in combination a rotary disc having a plurality of character bearing keys carried thereby, means for positioning said disc in any of a plurality of positions about its axis, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys relative to said disc.

' 3. In a code-writing machine in combination a plurality of printing members, a rotary disc having a plurality of characterbearing operating keys carried thereby, means for positioning said disc in any of a plurality of positions about its axis, toassociate said keys with the printing members in any of a plurality of code printing relations, and means operating upon rotation of said disk for disposing the characters on said keys in upright position for any position of said disc.

4. In a code-writing machine, a plurality of typewriter keys, a rotary disc having a plurality of auxiliary character-bearing keysmounted thereon, means for operatively connecting said auxiliary keys with said typewriter keys, means for rotating said thereby,

disc to change the operative relation between said auxiliary keys and said typewriter keys, and means for maintaining said auxiliary keys with their characters in upright positionregardlcss of the rotation of the disc. y

5. In a code-writing machine, -a rotary disc, a plurality of character-bearing keys carried by said disc, means for rotating said disc, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys through an angle to maintain the characters on said keys in upright position.

6. In a code-writing machine, a rotary disc, a plurality of character-bearing keys carried by said disc, means for rotating said disc, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys through the same angular distance as said disc and in a direction opposite to that of the disc.

7. In a code-writing machine, a rotary disc having a plurality of character bearing keys rotatably mounted therein, means for rotating said disc, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys through the same angular distance as said disc and in a direction opposite to that of the disc, said lastnamed means comprising gearing between said disc and said keys.

8. In a code-writing machine, arotarydpisc having a' plurality of character-hearing keys rotatably mounted therein, means for rotating said disc, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys through the same angular distance as said disc and in a direction opposite to that of the disc, said lastnamed means comprising a gear carried by each of said keys, a gear 1n engagement with all of said first-named gears, and a train of gears connecting said last-named gear to said disc. 1

9. In a code-writing machine, a rotary disc having a plurality of character-bearing keys rotatably mounted therein and circularly arranged, means for rotatingsaid disc, and means for simultaneously rotating said keys through the same angular distance as said disc and in a direction opposite to that of the disc, said last-named means comprising a gear carried by each of said keys, an annular gear in engagement with all of said first-named gears, and a train of gears connecting said annular gear to said disc.

10. In a code-writing machine, a plurality of typewriter keys, a rotary disc having a plurality of auxiliary character-bearlng keys carried thereby, means for operatively v connecting said auxiliary keys to said typewriter keys, means for rotating said disc to change the relation of said auxlhary keys to said typewriter keys, and means'for indicating when a new relation has been established,

said last-named means being settable in accordance with the desired angular movement of said disc.

11. Ina, code-writing machine in combination a plurality of printing members, a rotary disc having a plurality of characterbearing operating keys carried thereby, means for positioning said disc in any of a plurality of positions about its axis, to associatev said keys with the printing members in any of a plurality of code printing relations, and means for disposing the characters on said keys in upright position for any position of said disc, said printing means comprising a handle having a detent therein. said machine having a stop with which said detent cooperates for indicating when the keys and the printing members are in operative relation.

12. In a code-writing machine, a plurality of typewriter keys, a rotary disc having a plurality of auxiliary character-bearing keys mounted thereon, means for operatively connecting said auxiliary keys with said typewriter keys, means for rotating said disc to changethe operative relation between said auxiliary keys and said typewriter keys, and means for maintaining said auxiliary keys with their characters in upright position regardless of the rotation of the disc, said disc rotating means comprising a handle having a detent therein, said machine having 2. Phirality of grooves with which said detent co-operatesfor indicating when the auxiliary keys and the typewriter keys are in op erative relation in a plurality of positions of the disc.

13. In a code-writing machine in combination a plurality of printing members, a rotary disc having a plurality of character bearing operating keys carried thereby, means for positioning said disc in any of a plurality of positions about its axis, to associate said keys with the printing members in any of a plurality of code printin rela tions, and means for disposing the c aracters on said keys in upright position for any position of said disc, said positioning means comprising a. handle havinga detent movable therein, a plurality of race-ways for said detent, each race-way having grooves therem at dlfierent an lar distances,-said detent being movable, 1n accordance with the angular distance through which the d1sc 1s to be "moved, into the corresponding race-way to 'iary keys with their characters in upright position regardless of the rotation of the disc, said disc rotating means comprising a gagement with any desired race-Way in achandle having a detent therein, said machine cordance with the an lar distance through in having a plurality of race-ways for said dewhich said disc is to i: moved for each settent, each said race-way having a distinctive ting. d a v 5 number of equidistant. indicating stops, said Signed at New Y k n the county f New detent being positioned eccentrically in said n S te Of ew York this 12 h day. handle so that rotation of the latter about Df g A- D- 1922.

its axis serves to move said detent into en- LOUIS A." NEMCOYSKY. 

